An urgent appeal has been issued by Hinckley Area Foodbank which is struggling to keep up with a dramatic rise in demand for its emergency aid.

Between the beginning of April last year and the end of February this year, 4,024 people in crisis, around one-third of them children aged under 16, were referred to receive three-day emergency food supplies from the service.

It represents an increase of 38% on the same period the previous year, with the roll-out of Universal Credit being cited as a key cause.

Foodbank co-ordinators say that supporters across Hinckley and Bosworth have been “brilliant” in responding, with contributions up by 29% during the same period.

Even so, supplies are still being handed out faster than they are being received.

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Foodbank coordinator and warehouse manager Colin Figures said: “Hinckley Area Foodbank is continuing to experience the biggest ever increase in the number of families needing help in feeding themselves and their children.

“Unfortunately, the quantity of stock being given to our clients is continuing to go out at a faster rate than donations coming in.

“We desperately need to collect more basic foodstuffs and we are asking the people of Hinckley and Bosworth to help us even more at this difficult time.

"We know that times are tough for everyone. We also need to make sure we can continue to serve our clients who are some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Donations can be taken to collection points at Asda and Tesco supermarkets in Hinckley, the Co-op in Burbage, and to many churches across the borough, including St Peter’s in Market Bosworth, which act as official collection points for the cause.

A full list of collection points can be found online at hinckleyarea.foodbank.org.uk .

Hinckley Area Foodbank, which is part of the national Trussell Trust network, was launched in June 2012 and is run by Hinckley Christian Community Action, based at Hope Community Church on Deveron Way, Hinckley.

It operates seven Foodbank centres across the borough to which people are referred for three-day emergency food supplies and signposting to agencies which may be able to help resolve the cause of their crisis.

To find out more email info@hinckleyarea.foodbank.org.uk or go online.